Begin with the End in Mind

We love the elementary school that our kids are a part of. One of the great programs at the school is the “Leader in Me” curriculum developed based on Sean Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Happy Kids.”

Students participate in classroom discussions and other activities focused on taking charge of their own lives and other 7 Habits principles. In other words, our 5-year-old and 7-year-old come home reminding us to be “proactive,” to “think win-win,” and to “synergize” among other things. Comments like, “mom, that was not a win-win with dad… you need to do more problem solving” and “that’s not how you get things done mom, we need to put first things first…” have become somewhat common place around here. So, be it subliminal kid-messaging, or my subconscious gathering in all of this information and running amok with it, as the New Year has approached, and others have begun their “resolution” lists for 2013, I have had some stirrings to do the same.

Now, I am not a resolution kind of girl. I don’t do well with, “beginning today I will…” (insert pie-in-the-sky, highly unreasonable ultimatum that I will not uphold past next Tuesday). However, I think that “goals” are a good idea… but have found that in my stay-at-home life, I have gotten out of the habit of setting time-based, reasonable, achievable goals for myself and my family. BUUUT… it is a new year, so why not give it a shot?! I think this is a perfect year to get back in the swing of goal setting. And AHA! This is also a very proactive thing to do… goal setting is “Beginning with the End in Mind.” My, my… my kids will be so proud of me.” (insert impish grin).

Goal setting is an odd thing, if you ask me… or rather, why (or how?) it works at all! I find it puzzling and intriguing… some sort of cosmic energy thing, perhaps? Some sort of magical ideas into action voodoo going on? Maybe. But, I think a more probable reason that goal setting (as a clearly thought out, and written down process) “works” is that it forces us to honestly think about what we want. In the fast-paced society we live in, how often do most people get to just sit and reflect? How often to you take the time to think about where you are now and where you would like to be in a week, a month, a year, 10 years? My guess is that many of you would answer like me… the days turn into weeks, the weeks turn in to months, the months turn in to years… and before you know it, you have not stepped in the direction you had hoped to go, because you forgot you were even trying to get there.

So, here’s how my list is shaping up. I have been asking myself questions about my relationship with God this year, with His creation, and with the multitude of people who cross my path. I have been asking myself questions about the kind of mother and wife I wish to be and how I might give more time to all these things. My goals arise from these questions. I have decided on creating a specific spiritual goal, mothering goal, health goal, and relationship goal. These are personal things, specific to my life, and I am certain you will have goals in areas that are personal and specific to you.

I have found this goal setting process to be so very positive. It has given me a sense of power and purpose in creating the kind of life I want for myself and my family. It has given my prayer life purpose, and forced me to focus my attention to those areas of my life that truly matter.

And now, I suppose the proof is in the pudding. Good goals are measurable and achievable, they don’t fall away like a “New Year’s Resolution” might. So, my first mini-goal… not to forget my goals!! I think I might tape them up somewhere… until I’m sure I”m on track!

Wish me luck… and good luck to you in 2013! I hope you are able to set yourself some goals. Give yourself a chance to reach higher than you ever thought you could. One thing is certain… you won’t make it if you don’t try 😉